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EU states may pool consular help EU states may pool consular help
(10 minutes later)
The European Commission has for the first time put forward plans for pooling the consular services of the 25 EU member states.The European Commission has for the first time put forward plans for pooling the consular services of the 25 EU member states.
The proposals would mean European nationals who lose their passports abroad could go to the consulate of any other EU member state for help.The proposals would mean European nationals who lose their passports abroad could go to the consulate of any other EU member state for help.
Problems arose during the evacuation of EU nationals after the 2004 Asian tsunami and Lebanon conflict this year.Problems arose during the evacuation of EU nationals after the 2004 Asian tsunami and Lebanon conflict this year.
The EU says increasing numbers of EU citizens now need help abroad.The EU says increasing numbers of EU citizens now need help abroad.
"Adequate protection of EU citizens abroad has to be granted to the increasing number of people who travel, work and live outside the EU," said the commission's head of justice, freedom and security, Franco Frattini."Adequate protection of EU citizens abroad has to be granted to the increasing number of people who travel, work and live outside the EU," said the commission's head of justice, freedom and security, Franco Frattini.
Mutual assistanceMutual assistance
The commission says it is particularly important to boost diplomatic and consular protection because not all member states have a permanent representation in every third country. The Commission says it is particularly important to boost diplomatic and consular protection because not all member states have a permanent representation in every third country.
All 25 are represented - by an embassy or a consulate - in only three countries outside the European Union: China, the United States and Russia.All 25 are represented - by an embassy or a consulate - in only three countries outside the European Union: China, the United States and Russia.
The Commission's green paper - to be discussed by EU governments - also recommends simplifying procedures for EU citizens in difficulties abroad to get financial advances.The Commission's green paper - to be discussed by EU governments - also recommends simplifying procedures for EU citizens in difficulties abroad to get financial advances.
Some Eurosceptics see the ideas as a move to salvage parts of the controversial EU constitution, which was rejected by voters in France and the Netherlands last year, Reuters news agency reports.Some Eurosceptics see the ideas as a move to salvage parts of the controversial EU constitution, which was rejected by voters in France and the Netherlands last year, Reuters news agency reports.
The constitution envisages the establishment of a full EU diplomatic service.The constitution envisages the establishment of a full EU diplomatic service.
A recent Eurobarometer survey showed only 23% of respondents knew about their right to diplomatic and consular protection by any member state when travelling in a third country.A recent Eurobarometer survey showed only 23% of respondents knew about their right to diplomatic and consular protection by any member state when travelling in a third country.